In Conversation With Local Artist Emma Eagles

We caught up with Emma Eagles, the artist behind her collection at The White Horse Baston, to discuss her creative journey, inspirations and the landscapes that shape her work. From a lifelong passion for colour to a deep connection with the Lincolnshire countryside, this Q&A offers an insight into the ideas, influences and experiences behind this exhibition.

Tell us a bit about yourself and what inspired you to become an artist? 

I’ve always been creative. Both of my parents studied art at Goldsmiths, so art was part of everyday life growing up. Making things, talking about art and being surrounded by creativity felt completely normal. 

Alongside a career in technology, I have always painted and sketched, but I suppose the turning point in calling myself an artist came about three years ago when I was invited to take part in an exhibition. 

I’m a member of the Deepford Artists Group, a collective of local artists who meet once a month to share ideas, talk about materials, discuss what’s working and what isn’t, and occasionally remind each other that we’re not the only ones wrestling with a painting! 

I’m obsessed with colour. I can happily spend hours mixing colours, making swatches and exploring combinations that most people would probably never notice. I’m endlessly interested in the way colour can create mood, atmosphere and emotion. 

The older I get, the more creatively ambitious I become. I think people assume creativity fades with age, but I’ve found the opposite. I’m experimenting more, taking more risks and enjoying the process more than ever. 

What does your typical process look like from idea to finished piece? 

Most paintings begin with colour. I’ll spend a long time just sitting with combinations before I even think about picking up a brush.  

I work quite intuitively and rarely start with a fixed plan. Most paintings go through a stage where they look terrible and I wonder what on earth I was thinking. Layers are added, removed and painted over until something begins to emerge. 

The moment I know a painting is working is usually when it starts creating a feeling I can’t quite explain. It might be atmosphere, tension, calm or energy, but suddenly it has a life of its own. That’s when I know I’m onto something. 

Sometimes the painting ends up exactly where I thought it might. More often, it surprises me. 

Are there specific local places, walks or views that feel important to your work? 

Lincolnshire is home, but I also spend a great deal of time in North Yorkshire, and they influence my work in very different ways. 

In Lincolnshire, it’s all about the big sky. I love the huge horizons, the changing weather, and the way light moves across the fens. Sometimes, a storm rolling in from miles away can completely transform the colours and atmosphere of a familiar scene. The landscape is deceptively simple, but if you spend time looking, it’s constantly changing. 

The North York Moors offer something completely different. What I love there is the sense of depth, mystery and possibility. There’s a feeling that there’s always something beyond what you can immediately see. 

I think I’m drawn to both landscapes for different reasons. Lincolnshire inspires me with its openness and sense of space, while Yorkshire inspires me with its depth and mystery. 

Is there a particular time of day or year you feel most creatively connected to the landscape? 

I’m drawn to moments of transition. Early mornings when the mist is lifting, late afternoons when the light begins to soften, or those brief moments when weather changes the entire mood of a landscape. 

Seasonally, I love those moments when a familiar landscape begins to transform. Colours shift, light changes, and places I’ve walked countless times suddenly feel different. The landscape starts changing faster than you can keep up with it, and I find that endlessly fascinating. 

Why did you choose The White Horse Baston as the place for your exhibition? 

We are so lucky to have somewhere like The White Horse in our village. 

It’s much more than a pub. There’s a real sense of community here, and that makes it feel like a very natural place to share my work. 

I exhibited at The White Horse last year and the response from people was wonderful. I loved seeing paintings find homes with people who had connected with them. 

There’s something very special about that. I love the idea that someone might come in for lunch, spot a painting they connect with and end up living with it for years. Art has a wonderful way of becoming part of people’s homes and everyday lives. 

The team has done an incredible job creating such a beautiful space. Their attention to detail, creativity and commitment to making people feel welcome is evident in everything they do. It’s a real asset to the village, and I feel very fortunate to have my paintings on the walls.